Intermingling nozzle

ABSTRACT

An intermingling nozzle for filaments and yarns is described. The intermingling nozzle comprises a reedlike side by side arrangement of alternate yarn channel and closing plates. In the yarn channel plate sides adjoining the closing plates, grooves are formed as yarn channels and perpendicularly thereto as blowing channels. The closing plates are rotatable with respect to the yarn channel plates, specifically between an open position, in which they give access to the yarn channels to allow yarns to be inserted, and a closed position, in which they cover up the yarn channels. The intermingling nozzle is suitable in particular for intermingling high-count yarns, for example for reinforcing fabrics and tire cords.

The invention relates to an intermingling nozzle for filaments or yarns,comprising a plurality of plates arranged side by side in the manner ofa reed forming yarn channels which are in a parallel arrangement andblowing medium channels which end transversely in the yarn channels, theaxes of the yarn channels being in a plane which extends perpendicularlyto the plates.

An intermingling nozzle of this category is known from DE-A-3,019,302.In this intermingling nozzle, the plates form a blocklike arrangement inwhich the yarn channels are formed as a result of a straight-line gap ofrectangular cross-section being left free in each case between an upperand a separate lower plate portion. With this intermingling nozzle theyarns must be threaded in individually; a threading in or subsequentaddition of continuous yarns is not possible. Moreover, the pitch, i.e.the spacing of the yarn channels perpendicularly to the yarn transportdirection, is comparatively large.

EP-A-216,951 discloses an intermingling nozzle of a somewhat differentcategory where the yarn channels remain open in operation. It is truethat this permits a laying in of yarns during operation, but the airconsumption is correspondingly large. Moreover, there is a danger thatyarns will be blown out of the yarn channels.

EP-A-262,237 and EP-A-152,919 each disclose an intermingling nozzleconsisting of two mutually adjoining blocks in a horizontal plane. Theblocks are provided at the mutually adjoining contact surfaces withgrooves serving as yarn channels. By lifting the upper block, forexample by pivoting it upward, it is then possible to insert yarns intothe yarn channels. However, insertion of yarns during operation is notpossible with this intermingling nozzle either, since the upper blockprevents free access to the yarn channels even in the open state.

DE-A-2,840,177, finally, discloses an intermingling nozzle wherecylindrical bores each hold a tubular body which contains the yarnchannel and is mounted rotatably about its longitudinal axis,specifically between an open position, in which the yarn channel isfreely accessible, and a closed position, in which the yarn channel issealed off from the outside. It is true that with this interminglingnozzle it is possible to insert yarns into the yarn channels duringoperation, but the manufacture of the tubular bodies rotatable in thebores requires considerable manufacturing resources owing to the highaccuracy of fit required. Moreover, on closing the intermingling nozzlethere is a danger that the yarns or individual filaments will betrapped. Finally, a comparatively large pitch of the yarn channels isunavoidable.

It is an object of the invention to develop an intermingling nozzle ofthe category specified at the beginning in such a way that, despite lowair consumption and a very narrow pitch of the yarn channels, it ispossible to insert filaments or yarns during operation.

This object is achieved according to the invention in relation to theintermingling nozzle having the features indicated at the beginning whenpairs of mutually adjoining plates consist of a stationary yarn channelplate and a mobile closing plate, of which the yarn channel plate isprovided on its side which faces the closing plate with a groove whichserves as a yarn channel and the closing plate is movable parallel tothe plate planes between an open position which gives access to the yarnchannel and a closed position which covers up the yarn channel.

This "closed position" is the operating position of the interminglingnozzle. In the nozzle according to the invention, the yarn channels arefreely accessible from one side when the intermingling nozzle is in theopen position. The filaments or yarns can therefore be inserted duringoperation, for example by shifting the entire intermingling nozzle inthe direction of the yarns. Since the yarn channels are closed in theclosed position, the consumption of blowing medium, in particular air,can be kept to a minimum.

The pitch of the intermingling nozzle depends solely on the thickness ofthe plates, so that the pitch can be made comparatively small. Moreparticularly, if the yarn channel plates are provided with a yarnchannel on both sides, the pitch of the intermingling nozzle can be madevery tight.

Since the intermingling nozzle consists essentially of planar plates,the manufacturing expense is comparatively low. Nonetheless, anintermingling nozzle constructed according to the invention can producea high intermingling performance.

An intermingling nozzle constructed according to the invention issuitable in particular for intermingling sheets of coarse-count yarns ofthe type used for reinforcing fabrics and/or tire cord.

Advantageous embodiments of the invention are given in the subclaims.

An illustrative embodiment of the invention is explained with referenceto the drawing, where

FIG. 1 shows a cross-section through an open intermingling nozzleperpendicular to the yarn transport direction; and

FIG. 2 shows a side view of the open intermingling nozzle.

The intermingling nozzle shown in the Figures has a support 10. Thesupport 10 supports a group of firmly attached planar yarn channelplates 12 arranged side by side and alternately with planar closingplates 14.

The closing plates 14 are mounted on a shaft 18, which is mountedrotatably in bores of the yarn channel plates 12, but are prevented fromrotation by a wedge 20. The shaft 18 has at one end an abutment head 21and at its other end a thread 22 onto which a nut 23 has been threaded.The shaft 18 and nut 23 in this arrangement and in conjunction with theplate spring 24 keep the yarn channel plates 12 and the closing plates14 in mutual adjoinment under a given pre-tension without, however,preventing movement of the closing plates 14 in planes parallel to theyarn channel plates 12.

At least one and preferably two of the closing plates 14 are providedwith a toothed segment 26 which is in engagement with a toothed wheel 28driven by a compressed air motor (not depicted). As a result, theclosing plates 14 are rotatable about the longitudinal axis of the shaft18. The extent of the rotation of the closing plate 14 is limited to 90°by recesses 30 which are formed by the yarn channel plates 12, and whichextend at 90° and into which the wedge 20 engages. In this way, theclosing plates 14 are adjustable between a closed position and,displaced by 90° therefrom, an open position which is shown in FIGS. 1and 2.

The yarn channel plates 12 are each provided on their sides which facethe closing plates 14 with a straight-line continuous groove 32 ofrectangular cross-section, which serves as a yarn channel. Each yarnchannel groove 32 branches at right angles and on opposite sides into astraight-line groove which serves as blowing channel for blowing anintermingling medium, in particular air, into the yarn channel. Theblowing channel grooves 34 and 36 formed in the sides of the yarnchannel plates 12 each end in a bore 38 or 40 respectively extendingperpendicularly through the yarn channel plate 12. The closing plates 14contain corresponding bores 44 and 46 respectively which, in the closedposition of the closing plates 14, become flush with the bores 38 and 40respectively of the yarn channel plates 12 and thus form feed channels48 and 50 respectively for feeding in the blowing medium. The supply ofthe feed channels 48 and 50 with the blowing medium is effected by wayof the outside yarn channel plates 12 via a device (not depicted) whichautomatically interrupts the supply of the blowing medium as theintermingling nozzle is opened.

The closing plates 14 are provided with a straight-line outer rim 51which, in the open position of the closing plates 14, extends parallelto the yarn channel grooves 32. The arrangement and construction ofthese yarn channel plates 12 and closing plates 14 is such that theclosing plates 12 in the open position allow completely free access tothe yarn channel grooves 32 in the yarn transport direction but onlypartial access perpendicularly to the yarn transport direction, so that,although the yarns F can be inserted into the yarn channels, they have acertain support therein. The outer rims 51 of the closing plates 14 areprovided with rooflike chamfers 52 which in the open position of theclosing plates are inclined toward the yarn channels in order tofacilitate insertion of the yarns F.

The mutually adjoining sides of the yarn channel plates 12 and of theclosing plates 14 are honed or lapped to obtain a high surface quality,so that satisfactory mutual contact of the yarn channel and the closingplates is ensured. If the closing plates 14 are rotated out of theiropen position (shown in FIGS. 1 and 2) by 90° into their closedposition, they seal off the yarn channel grooves 32 absolutely tightlywithout any risk of trapping the yarns F between the mutually adjoiningside surfaces of the yarn channel and closing plates. Before use, theentire intermingling nozzle is moved by means of the slidable support 10out of the area of the yarns. At this time the closing plates 14 are intheir open position (which is shown in the drawings). Once the sheet ofyarns has then been given the desired arrangement and has been set inmotion, the intermingling nozzle is moved in the direction of the movingyarns F (upward in FIGS. 1 and 2). In the course of this movement, theyarns F slide over the chamfers 52 into the yarn channel grooves 32without their transport having to be interrupted. Thereafter the closingplates 14 are moved via the toothed drive 26, 28 into their closedposition in which they seal the yarn channels and connect the blowingchannels to the feed channels 48, 50 formed by the bores 38, 44 and 40,46. At the same time, the supply of blowing medium (preferably air) isinitiated automatically in order to intermingle the yarns F passingthrough the yarn channels.

Even though the depicted illustrative embodiment shows four yarn channelplates and three closing plates, it will be readily understood that theyarn channel and closing plates can also be grouped together in largergroups, for example of 20 to 25 plates.

As mentioned at the beginning, the intermingling nozzle described isusable in particular in the drawing of sheets of coarse-count yarns ofthe type used for reinforcing fabrics or tire cords. They are yarnshaving a count of about 500 to 2500 dtex, usually between 1000 and 1700dtex, with a filament denier of 3 to 15 dtex, preferably 5 to 8 dtex.The drawing of these yarns and hence also the intermingling usuallytakes place at speeds of 100 to 500 m/min on continuous lines. The yarntension in the intermingling zone is usually between 0.01 and 0.1cN/dtex.

The depicted intermingling nozzle permits a very tight pitch of the yarnchannels, for example of 4 to 6 mm, but even down to 2 mm. This makes itpossible to guide the yarns close together and thus to obtain goodutilization of the godets and heating elements of the drawing units.

In a concrete illustrative embodiment, a tire cord of 1440 dtex, atransport speed of 220 m/min, a pitch of 1 yarn/4.8 mm, a yarn tensionof 40 cN/1440 dtex and an air throughput of 3.5 standard m³ /h gave anneedle test value (Rothschild Entanglement Tester R2040) of 120 to 200mm.

We claim:
 1. An intermingling nozzle for filaments or yarns, comprisinga plurality of plates arranged side by side in the manner of a reedforming yarn channels which are in a parallel arrangement and blowingmedium channels which end transversely in the yarn channels, the axes ofthe yarn channels being in a plane which extends perpendicularly to theplates, wherein pairs of mutually adjoining plates consist of astationary yarn channel plate (12) and a mobile closing plate (14), ofwhich the yarn channel plate (12) is provided on its side which facesthe closing plate (14) with a groove (32) which serves as a yarn channeland the closing plate (14) is movable parallel to the plate planesbetween an open position which gives access to the yarn channel and aclosed position which covers up the yarn channel.
 2. The interminglingnozzle as claimed in claim 1, wherein the closing plate (14) isrotatable for performing the movement between the closed and the openposition.
 3. The intermingling nozzle as claimed in claim 2, wherein theclosed position and the open position of the closing plate (14) areoffset relative to each other by 90° .
 4. The intermingling nozzle asclaimed in claim 1,wherein the yarn channel and closing plates (12, 14)are arranged alternately with one another and at least the inner yarnchannel plates are provided on each side with a yarn channel groove(32).
 5. The intermingling nozzle as claimed in claim 1,wherein theclosing plate (14) in the open position gives only partial access to theyarn channel groove (32) perpendicular to the yarn transport direction.6. The intermingling nozzle as claimed in claim 1,wherein acircumferential edge of the closing plate (14), which in the openposition extends parallel to the yarn channel, is provided with achamfer (52) to facilitate insertion of the yarn (F).
 7. Theintermingling nozzle as claimed in claim 1,wherein the circumferentialedge of the closing plate (14) is provided on both sides with a chamfer(52) each.
 8. The intermingling nozzle as claimed in claim 1wherein theblowing channels each consist of a groove (34) formed in one side of theyarn channel plate (12).
 9. The intermingling nozzle as claimed in claim8, in which the blowing channels are connected to a common feed channelextending perpendicularly to the plate planes, wherein the feed channel(48; 50) consists of bores (38; 40) in the yarn channel plates (12) andbores (44; 46) in the closing plates (14), which are flush with oneanother in the closed position of the closing plates (14).
 10. Theintermingling nozzle as claimed in claim 1,wherein the yarn channel andclosing plates (12, 14) are grouped together in a plurality of groups,the closing plates (14) of one group being moveable together.
 11. Theintermingling nozzle as claimed in claim 10, wherein at least one of theclosing plates (14) is provided with a toothed sector (26) which is inengagement with a drivable toothed wheel (28).
 12. The interminglingnozzle as claimed in claim 1,wherein the intermingling nozzle isslidable as a whole to permit insertion of the yarns (F).